Employment Opportunity with the Society of the Cincinnati

Museum Collections Manager

The Society of the Cincinnati

The Society of the Cincinnati, a nonprofit historical and educational organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., seeks a full-time museum collections manager to oversee the care and preservation of its museum collections, which include more than 4,000 works of art and artifacts, including portraits, armaments, furniture, textiles, and other decorative arts objects. Founded in 1783, the Society strives to promote increased public awareness of the American Revolution and its achievements. Since 1938 the Society has maintained its headquarters at Anderson House, a 1905 Beaux Arts mansion and National Historic Landmark in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.societyofthecincinnati.org.

Major Duties:

The museum collections manager is the primary staff member charged with maintaining the Society’s museum collections and the records that document them. Major duties include:

• processing museum acquisitions, including accessioning, cataloging, and deaccessioning

• maintaining the collections management database and object files

• evaluating collections storage conditions and developing a plan for their improvement

• developing a museum housekeeping plan

• monitoring environmental conditions in the museum and collections storage rooms

• arranging incoming and outgoing loans for exhibitions at Anderson House and other venues

• conducting periodic collections inventories

• contributing to emergency preparedness and museum security procedures

• processing image reproduction requests and assisting with collections research requests

• assisting with exhibition planning and installation

• assisting with identifying conservation priorities

• participating in the development and execution of public programs

Qualifications:

A Master’s degree in history, art history, American studies, museum studies, or a closely related field is strongly preferred. At least two to three years of professional experience working with museum collections and collections management software (particularly Past Perfect) is also strongly preferred. A successful candidate will be familiar with collections management standards and have experience with proper methods for museum registration, object care and storage, and loans. Familiarity with the history and material culture of the American Revolution, Washington, D.C., and/or the Gilded Age is a plus. A successful candidate should be an excellent writer and an effective speaker and should be organized, detail-oriented, and capable of working on several projects simultaneously. Some physical activity such as climbing ladders, lifting, and kneeling is required, as are occasional evening and weekend hours.

Salary and Benefits:

This is a mid-level position on the professional staff of the Society of the Cincinnati with an annual salary in the range of $36,000-$43,000. Excellent benefits include annual leave, health insurance, a 401(k) plan, a commuting stipend, and professional development opportunities.

To apply, send a resume and cover letter, including mention of where you learned about this opening, by Friday, July 15 to:

Emily L. Schulz

Deputy Director and Curator

The Society of the Cincinnati

2118 Massachusetts Avenue, NW

Washington, DC  20008

eschulz@societyofthecincinnati.org